Welsh Language

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice his Department is giving to parents who wish their children's school to be exempted from the requirement to include Welsh as a foundation subject from September 1990.

I would advise parents who are interested in the position of Welsh in their children's school to read the interim report of the national curriculum Welsh working group and to let the working group know their views. When we have received the final report of the working group—due at the end of April 1989—the Government will publish proposals on which there will be wide-ranging consultation. Until then it would be premature to consider cases where it might be appropriate for schools to be exempted. I hope that the working group's report will be widely acceptable and will minimise the need for exemptions.